The Twitter account @Nets_PR has just under 6,000 followers, but all that means is a whole lot of people are missing out on some clever sports social media humor.
The account by all appearances actually comes, as its bio claims, "directly from the Brooklyn Nets Public Relations Department" (we contacted the team but have not heard back). But it isn't just a humor feed. In fact, it mostly has perfectly normal, perfectly traditional PR posts, dashing in the occasional jolt of deadpan oddness.
That quirk reached a pinnacle earlier this week, with this Tuesday night post that became a sensation on the sports web:
#Nets now 32-0 when outscoring opponent this season— Nets PR Dept. (@Nets_PR) February 20, 2013
The message even earned a retweet of approval from the official NBA account:
We checked. This is correct. #UnadvancedStats RT @nets_pr #Nets now 32-0 when outscoring opponent this season— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2013
The silliness comes in contrast to the typically bland pro sports team PR feed playbook, which usually features dry-but-relevant stats about things such as road records, points scored in different quarters and different players' statistical accomplishments.
The Nets feed features plenty of that too, but as the Los Angeles Kings showed with a spate of sassy tweets during last year's NHL playoffs, there is room for more creativity. Such examples are still few and far between, though, but that's probably preferable than an overabundance of unfunny imitations.
Like the Kings found their niche with sarcastic barbs and comedic stunts, the Nets seem to have found theirs with deadpan statistical obscurity. Their "32-0 when outscoring opponent" tweet was no fluke. Here are just a few more examples of the many strange stats the Nets have mixed in with more traditional fare this season:
#Barclays Kiss Cam proposals now a perfect 4-4 on the year, #Nets undefeated in such games— Nets PR Dept. (@Nets_PR) February 6, 2013
The #Nets are undefeated after Brook Lopez gets a haircut— Nets PR Dept. (@Nets_PR) February 14, 2013
Blatche loses headband for 3rd time this season, trails only Reggie Evans (7) for team-lead— Nets PR Dept. (@Nets_PR) January 5, 2013
Do you find the Nets PR tweets more funny or fail? Give us your take in the comments.
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